For choosing the right 3D printer, you examine features such as build volume, extruder type, nozzle, build plate. When it comes down to it, what we really desire is picture-perfect prints that are printed quickly.
That is the topic of this article: the best FDM and resin 3D printers that provide the best results the quickest time possible.
What Is Resolution In 3D Printing? X, Y, And Z Resolution
When a 3D printer nozzle deposits filament, resolution is defined as the shortest distance the nozzle travels.
You have probably run into the term resolution a lot if you have purchased a phone or a television (or maybe you forced your partner to do this for you). If you’ve ever used a 720p screen, you’ll know that 1080p screens have better picture quality.
When looking to purchase a 3D printer that will produce high-quality prints, a high resolution 3D printer is by far the most important consideration.When looking to purchase a 3D printer that will produce high-quality prints, a high resolution 3D printer is by far the most important consideration.When looking to purchase a 3D printer that will produce high-quality prints, a high resolution 3D printer is by far the most important consideration.
There are several terms you’ll hear in 3D printer reviews, including XY resolution and Z layer resolution. During a 3D print, the Z layer resolution represents the height of every layer. As opposed to that, the nozzle travels the shortest distance in the horizontal direction with an X and a Y resolution.
Other Factors That Affect Print Quality
Material
The quality of prints produced by different materials varies. Some produce better prints than others.
Printer Stability
There can be problems with 3D printing accuracy due to vibrations. Stable printers are important for this reason. Steel printers are stronger than plastic printers.
Type Of Printing
Prints made with resin produce more resolution than those made with FDM.
Temperature
The printing performance of different plastics varies with temperature. In order to achieve accurate prints with ABS, extrusion temperatures up to 240°C are ideal. The best temperatures for PLA are 200-220°C.
Slicer Settings
You should experiment with your slicer settings to get the best print quality. Print quality and print speed are greatly affected by layer height.
Nozzle Size
An accurate and high-quality print is achieved with smaller nozzles.
What Are The Best Use Cases For 3D Printers?
In basic flat surfaces, like a cube, high-quality 3D printers make little difference. Cheaper and less precise printers can actually produce the same cube in a shorter period of time (due to the larger nozzle diameter, which deposits more filament per layer).
A high-resolution 3D printer is significantly superior to a low-resolution printer if you love printing intricate miniatures, curved surfaces, or embossing and engravings.
Advantages Vs Disadvantages For High Resolution 3D Printers
On basic flat surfaces, such as a cube, 3D printers don’t make much of a difference. Even less accurate printers can produce the same cube in a shorter amount of time (because the nozzle diameter is larger, so more filament deposits in less layers).
A high-resolution 3D printer is significantly superior to a low-resolution printer if you love printing intricate miniatures, curved surfaces, or embossing and engravings.
Advantages
Print Quality
Finer details are printed with greater accuracy when printing at a higher resolution.
Efficient Workflows
Besides being excellent in terms of speed and quality, high-res printing also leads to efficient workflows.
More Variability In Creating Objects
Intricate and complex designs can be created with these 3D printers.
Try picturing a sculpture or model in your mind. 3D printers with high resolution can provide a real-world version of that.
Disadvantages
Slow Speed
The use of high resolution 3D printers isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. If you use a high-res 3D printer instead of a lower resolution printer, it will take four hours to print the same piece.
More Error-Prone
As a print contains more layers, the longer the printing process will take, and the greater the chances of printing errors.
Requires Precise Calibration
To print at the highest resolution possible, your printer settings must be impeccable. In addition, you need to select the right nozzle and adjust the extrusion and bed temperatures.
SLA VS FDM
The SLA (also known as resin) printer produces a much more accurate print than the FDM printer.
The resin is cured by UV or laser in SLA printers. Different sized spots are produced by these two light sources. In general, the XY and Z resolutions of Anycubic Photon Mono X are between 0.05mm and 0.01mm. That’s the range in which the vast majority of consumer-grade printers range.
Conversely, FDM 3D printers fall short of resin printers. The Prusa MK3S 3D printer, for example, has a Z resolution of only 0.05mm.
The Best High Resolution 3D Printers (FDM)
1. Creality Ender 3 V2 (High Resolution – Best Budget)
Affordable. Versatile. Effective. These 3D printers are Creality’s staples. A low-cost budget printer that can produce high-quality prints is the Ender 3 V2.
The 3D printer is an excellent introduction to 3D printing for anyone – yes, budget and world-class together – it’s a delightful paradox. This printer can handle all your printing needs without the need to purchase any other printers.
Can’t figure out how to set up your printer? Problems with your printer bringing you down? Your problem would then be resolved by Creality’s expansive user base. Visit this site to connect with the community. Many groups are also available on Facebook.
There are a number of ways the V2 significantly outshines its older brother, the original Ender 3. These include silent stepper motor drivers and a 32-bit mainboard.
Extruding prints is performed admirably by the Bowden extruder in the V2. We are printing with a resolution of 0.1mm in both the XY axis and the Z axis.
Its 200 mm/s printing speed is another impressive characteristic of the Prusa. It is one of the fastest FDM printers around.
There is nothing disappointing about the Prusa I3 MK3S. It delivers on every front.
Pros
- A high-resolution printout
- FDM printer with incredible speed
- Peaceful
Cons
- Costly
3. Dremel DigiLab 3D45
After you were excited about the Prusa, do you want to browse other premium 3D printers? If you are looking for an alternative to Prusa, look at the Dremel DigiLab 3D45.
Thanks to its expansive build volume of 254 x 152 x 170 mm, it is easy to print large prints. Also, DigiLab Slicer software uses the open-source Cura platform, which is suitable for both beginners and more advanced users.
DigiLab can print with polycarbonate, nylon, and ecoABS filaments, which most 3D printers cannot.
Classrooms benefit from 3D printers. It offers a curriculum suitable for elementary school students through upper-level college students. As the printer was designed for learning, students can easily make use of it.
Students are safe in the DigiLab. You do not have to worry about inhaling toxic fumes as the machine is completely enclosed and has a carbon filter. The enclosed printers also provide the benefit of regulating temperatures, resulting in higher resolution prints.
The 3D45 has the same excellent resolution as the Prusa i3 MK3S, 0.05mm. The prints are beautiful as a result. This printer is able to consistently achieve high-quality prints, just as the i3 MK3S. Neither printer is sub-par.
Alternatively, you can get the Dremel 3D40 flex for a lower cost but equally effective Dremel printer.
There are some limitations to the 3D40, however. For example, it can only print PLA, while the 3D45 can print a variety of materials (as described above). A heated platform to eliminate warping, a carbon filter to eliminate fumes, and a camera for remote monitoring of prints are also missing from the 3D40.
There are problems with every 3D printer, and the 3D45 is no exception. Furthermore, third-party filaments are difficult to use because of its hefty price. Using company-made filament is the best solution. A printer is like an Apple device in the sense that it operates like a closed ecosystem.
The Dremel is worth the price it asks for and performs just as well as the Apple.
Pros
- High-quality printing
- Resources for education
- Included in full
Cons
- Affordable
- Third-party filaments are difficult to use
4. Ultimaker S5 (Premium Choice)
Those who take their 3D printing seriously don’t mess around with this machine. A dual-extruded printer and the largest building volume make this a true Olympic printer
You should dedicate an entire desk to S5, it’s huge. Professionals and small business owners should use the 3D printer, not beginners. Using this printer to prototype is the best option.
For advanced materials (such as polycarbonate and ABS) a special anodized aluminum bed is available. They are both interchangeable.
A new high-performance plastic specially designed for tooling, manufacturing aids, and prototypes, Ultimaker Tough PLA. PLA is similarly strong against impacts as ABS and more stiff than that material.
Dual extrusion is what makes the S5 different from other FDM 3D printers. In addition to having two print heads, the S5 also comes with two print cores.
BB print cores are designed specifically for PVA, while AA print cores are generally meant for all other materials. You should use two AA cores if you intend to print dual colors. Supports should be printed on PVA cores.
It is a delight to use the S5. Everything about the printer is intuitive, starting with how to use the touchscreen to load filament.
The S5 is the best 3D printer available if you want the highest resolution from an FDM machine. In terms of XY resolution, it can reach 0.02 mm. It can also reach 0.1 mm on the Z axis.
It can be hard to swallow the pricing of the Ultimaker S5. However, there is another model of the S5 that’s cheaper (it’s about $2000 cheaper).
The S5 is more expensive because of these features.
As with the Dremel, the Ultimaker requires filament from the manufacturer. You may encounter poor quality prints if you do not receive filament from the manufacturer.
The Ultimaker S5 is undoubtedly the best FDM 3D printer in the high resolution category.
Pros
- Two extrusions
- Prints that are picture perfect
- I love using it
Cons
- Your wallet will be sucked dry
5. Elegoo Mars 2 Pro (Best Budget)
It is very efficient to use resin printers since they provide high resolution at a fraction of the cost of other printers. An excellent example of this is the Elegoo Mars 2.
There is no doubt that the 6.08 monochrome LCD screen with the 2K HD resolution of the Mars 2 Pro makes a tremendous difference in image quality.
With a CNC machined aluminum body, the build quality is solid. The high-resolution prints stay steady on the 3D printer because it doesn’t move. Typically, resin 3D printers build smaller models.
A resin printer also has a faster printing speed than an FDM printer. The printers usually print layers in less than two seconds. A speed-related gene inherited from resin printers is present in Elegoo Mars 2.
It prints miniatures with amazing precision. In terms of resolution, the XY axis has a 0.05mm resolution and the Z axis has a 0.01mm resolution.
Home users will appreciate the 3D printer. As resin fumes are toxic, it is essential to keep it in a well-ventilated space. Luckily, the printer has a carbon filter that reduces some of these fumes.
Elegoo has always been the Creality of resin and the Mars 2 is no exception.
Pros
- I love these prints
- Cheap
Cons
- Volume of construction is small
6. Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K
The latest craze is 4K video. A Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K took advantage of this trend by making the best resin 3D printer under $400.
This 3D printer looks cheap on the outside due to its plastic exterior. Despite its low cost, this printer packs a lot of power.
In comparison to the Mars 2 Pro, it has a small build volume. It is therefore most suitable for printing small parts. On the surface, this printer looks much like the countless resin printers available today.
A 4K screen is what we are going to talk about. This function is unique to the printer. The printer produces prints that are astonishingly detailed at an unbelievable speed. Despite their rarity, 4K LCDs are a great feature for both newbies and professionals alike.
There’s not much difference between 4K prints and 2K 3D prints. In some cases, the details are barely visible, others are barely discernible. The intricacies of 3D printing are apparent to 3D printing connoisseurs. Therefore, Mini 4K is designed for experienced 3D printers.
A Mini 4K has a 0.035 mm XY resolution, and a 0.01 mm Z-axis resolution. We observed better printing results with the Mini 4K than with the Elegoo Mars 2 Pro.
Resin supplied by the company is best suited to the printer. The layer settings must be adjusted if you buy third-party resin.
If you like 3D printing jewelry and miniatures, then this is the machine for you.
Pros
- The highest resolution 3D printer available
- It was an exceptional value for money
Cons
- In comparison to Phrozen’s own resin supply, third-party resins may not perform as well
7. Anycubic Photon Mono X
A SLA printer is usually quite small. Yet the Anycubic Photon Mono X is significantly larger than standard SLA printers. It’s the best precision 3D printer on our list because of its large build volume and high-resolution printing.
Due to small build volumes, most SLA printers are frustrating, so monochrome printers like the Mono X are welcome.
I find this printer to be very attractive, and sometimes bigger is better (and more beautiful). Although printers are not aesthetically pleasing, the one with its yellow acrylic lid is attractive.
We found that the Mini 4K print quality is actually better than that of the Mono X, but only by a very small margin. This difference would be virtually insignificant for most users. In terms of XY and Z resolutions, the Mono has similar results to the Mini.
WiFi was an unnecessary feature on this printer. The Anycubic mobile app is the only way to connect to the printer. Computer slicers cannot connect to the printer.
A 60 mm/h printer velocity makes this device ideal for those who run a business and enjoy fast printing.
Without regard to its price, the Mono X is a high-quality resin 3D printer that checks all the boxes.
Pros
- A large number of builds
- A stunning printer
- It looks stunning when printed
Cons
- Pricey
8. Formlabs Form 3 (Premium Choice)
This printer gets an 11/10 if we were to rate it. 20/10 if we were to rate it. Words cannot even begin to describe how outstanding the Formlabs Form 3 is compared to other machines we’ve reviewed thus far.
(Though slightly cheaper than the Ultimaker S5), the Form 3 is a resin-based alternative to the Ultimaker S5. A resin printer on the market is not able to match the capabilities of this machine.
A solid 145x145x185 mm build volume is achieved. The massive Form 3L also comes in 335 x 200 x 300 mm dimensions, which is a more recent release.
With the Form 3, you can print using Low Force Stereolithography, a technology that has few competitors. There was no fail after days of testing and we are still counting. It’s just another fancy sounding tech gimmick. Fantastic.
Cartridges are used to store resin for the Form 3. Refilling your stocks requires purchasing these from their site. You don’t have to worry about resin poisoning with these cartridges.
Resins come in several kinds – clear, color, rigid, rigid 10K, model. It has a white matte finish, as opposed to Rigid 10K’s white gloss. Clear prints are translucent, on the other hand. I like them.
PreForm software from Formlab makes printing a breeze on this machine. You don’t have to do a thing. Using its automatic processing capability, it only requires you to press print.
The most accurate, cleanest, and precise models that can be produced by a printer can be produced by a machine like this. There is about a 0.025 micron resolution in both XY and Z.
The printer is expensive, and its cartridges are expensive as well. The machine is therefore ideally suited for businesses; they can earn their money back within weeks through its capability.
If you enjoy staying on the cutting edge of technology, Formlabs Form 3 is the best choice for you.
Pros
- Prints that are impeccable
- Different types of resins
- Software at the cutting edge
Cons
- All costs are high
